Andy...
I wasn't having a 'dig' at anyone; certainly, not you!
However, I have to ask you how accurately you measured the mounting of the hubs on the new 'stiffer'/'softer' axle compared to the old one? In most cases, a small shortening of the free-axle length will have a greater 'stiffeninhg effect' than the change of axle. Next, I'd have to ask how much stiffer the new one was compared to the old? Can you tell us in what WAY was it 'stiffer'.
The problem is that so much HYPE has been said about stiff/soft axles that many of us 'old timers' have noticed that NO ONE has ever told us HOW they are stiffer! Yes.... making the 'hole through the middle' smaller WILL stiffen the axle.... changing it's compostion simply does NOT change the stiffness by any significant amount. Hence, many of us have serious doubts about this 'stiffer' lark when both types of 'stiffening' are regularly quoted!
Finally, the larger the 'bore' down the centre of the axle, the less the axle weighs. If you have fitted a thinner 'walled' axle, you've also fitted a MUCH LIGHTER axle, as well. How much of the effect was from moving the weight forward/backward and how much was from the 'stiffer' axle.....?
Lastly, it's my experience (and many other Psychological studies have shown this, too)... the more a change 'costs' and the more effort they have to put IN to making the change.... then the greater the EFFECT reported by the user. E.g., nasty-tasting placebos have more effect on patients than 'sweet tasting' ones. It would have been fun to change the axle without telling your lad and then asking him how the chassis 'felt'.
However, if it worked for you... it was a BRILLIANT job and everything that I have said is negated by that! If it takes time off your laps, then you went the RIGHT way, no matter what I think!
Ian
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